Start An Orc Army For Less!

By Ian Roberts iroberts60@hotmail.com Is it possible to make a usable 1000 point Orc and Goblin army with only four plastic box sets? I say yes - here's how.

What you'll need:

The box sets - three of Orc warriors and one of Goblin Wolfriders.

What to do:
Units Wolfriders - Make the Wolfriders into two units of 5 with a musician each. Arm them with spears but also put a quiver and bow on their backs. Orcs - Make the three Orc boxes into three units - Black Orcs, Orcs, and either Savage Orcs, Common Orcs or Orc Big 'Uns. See my article on how to make Black Orcs and Savage Orcs from the plastic box. See the sample army lists on page two to see which combination you like best. Characters An Orc or Black Orc Big Boss can be made from the bits from the plastic boxes as you would a normal Boss, just make him look a bit meaner by adding skulls to his base or attached to his belt. To make an Orc or Goblin Shaman is just as easy. Make up a normal model holding a spear, preferably one with wild hair and no armour. Chop off the top of the spear and glue on several skulls from the boxes. This will be his staff. You may wish to add additional objects to him or paint him differently to make him stand out.

What to get next

Easy ways to extend the army, you can go in many different directions developing a theme or to explore different tactics and styles of play. Two Spear Chukkas - Excellent value for points and can handle the stronger units. Boar Chariot - Adds extra punch, best used in conjunction with Orc infantry charge. More Boyz - Increase the unit size to 25. One extra box can add 6 models to each unit. Goblins - All round cannon fodder unit to soak up magic and missile fire. Night Goblins and Fanatics - The sheer threat of this unit will upset the opponents plans.

Then What?
Go wild! If you like fast units then get more mounted models. Maybe you want more artillery or more magic, or just some really tough units. Here are some suggestions: Another unit of Boyz Boar Boyz Rock Lobba Goblin Chariots Giant Snotlings

Army Lists:
These are examples of what you can make from the above. They are usable and should be easy to play with as you get used to the army. You may wish to tweak them or change some of the equipment.

Army 1 Black Orc Big Boss - Choppa; Great Weapon; Shield; Drog's Dead Ard Armour (116) Orc Shaman - Magic Level 2; Choppa; Dispel Scroll (130) 5 Goblin Wolf Riders - Spear; Short Bow; Shield; Musician (76) 5 Goblin Wolf Riders - Spear; Short Bow; Shield; Musician (76) 20 Orc Boyz - Choppa; Light Armour; Standard; Musician; Boss (128) 19 Orc Big 'Uns - 2ndWeapon; Choppa; Light Armour; Standard; Musician; Boss (199) 20 Black Orcs - Choppa; Great Weapon; Heavy Armour; Standard; Musician; Boss (273) Total Army Cost: 998

Army 2 1 Black Orc Big Boss - Choppa; Great Weapon; Shield (86) 1 Orc Shaman - Magic Level 2; Choppa; Dispel Scroll (125) 1 Goblin Shaman - Magic Level 2; Wolf (102) 9 Goblin Wolf Riders - Spear; Short Bow; Shield; Musician (132) 20 Orc Boyz - Choppa; Light Armour; Standard; Musician; Boss (128) 19 Orc Big 'Uns - 2ndWeapon; Choppa; Light Armour; Standard; Musician (199) 19 Black Orcs - Choppa; Heavy Armour; Standard; Musician; Boss (223) Total Army Cost: 995

Army 3 1 Orc Big Boss - Choppa; Great Weapon; Armour of Gork; Enchanted Shield (114) 1 Orc Shaman - Magic Level 1; Choppa; Dispel Scroll (90) 10 Goblin Wolf Riders - Spear; Short Bow; Shield; Musician (146) 20 Orc Boyz - Choppa; Light Armour; Standard; Musician; Boss (128) 20 Savage Boyz - Frenzy; Choppa; Spear; Warpaint; Standard; Musician; Boss (208) 19 Black Orcs - 2ndWeapon; Choppa; Heavy Armour; Standard; Musician; Boss; Night Banner (301) Total Army Cost: 987

Note: The numbers in the units don't add up to the number you will have. You will be short of a few models simply due to there no being enough in a box and through making your characters. Get hold of a few spare bases, glue a stack of spare spears, weapons, skulls and shields to them and put one or two in the middle of each unit. Effectively adds free extra unit members, and no one with half a sense of fairplay will give you grief about it. The larger sorts are known as unit centrepieces and they are very common at tournaments.